MONTPELIER, Vt. -
At the Vermont statehouse:
The gas tax moved one step closer to reality today.
The tax that would increase a gallon of gas by seven cents, passed in the House.
The Senate will take a look at the bill next week and that means by June, there could be even more pain at the pump.
That's not sitting well with many drivers and that's why a petition is circulating at gas stations.
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"Almost 60 dollars!"
It cost Kevin Thomas $59.75 to fill up, but if Vermont's gas tax passes, his price at the pump would be a dollar more. The tax would increase a gallon of gas by seven cents.
"It's getting higher and higher every day and yea, that's too high," Thomas said.
That's how at least 13,000 other Vermonter's feel as well. A petition circled through gas stations and the signatures were presented to law makers Wednesday. The hope is they'll reconsider the tax hike.
"We can't afford the gas that they're wanting us to pay," Christine Bowen said.
Even the Speaker of the House, Democrat Shap Smith says he understands the frustrations.
"If I were not in this position, I would probably sign the petition myself!" he said.
But the Speaker says there are just as many people complaining about the condition of our roads, and that's what the gas tax would go toward. It's expected to generate more than 20 million dollars. Every penny would be used to improve our roads and bridges.
"When oil companies increase the cost of gas, it just goes to their pocket book, so at least with this; we'll get some benefit from it," Speaker Smith said.
Law makers tell me they exhausted all of their options… cutting the transportation budget by millions, and they even considered taxing tires.
The Transportation Committee also looked at increasing registration fees at the DMV, but went with a tax on gas because a FEE would only impact Vermonters, a TAX could hit tourists and out of staters as well, ultimately bringing in more revenue.
"Investments in Vermont and investments that will create jobs," Speaker Smith said.
